19 Herbs for Vision and Eye Health

What you consume has a tremendous affect on the health of your eyes, and lost vision can be restored by giving the body what it needs.

A plant based diets that provide ample amounts of vitamins, minerals and carotenoids is the first step in maintaining and restoring your eyesight.

When that is in place, the next phase is adding herbs and remedies that support and heal the eyes. Here is a list of the top herbs for vision and eye health.

Herbs that keep eyes healthy

* Pycnogenol is a powerful antioxidant derived from French maritime pine tree bark and the subject of more than 180 studies. Of particular note is its ability to reduce leakage into the retina by repairing capillaries in the eyes. While still largely unknown to American doctors, Pycnogenol is the leading prescription for diabetic retinopathy in France.

* Coleus forskohlii, Pilocarpus jaborandi, and Triphala have all been used to lower intrarocular pressure via parasympathetic relaxation of the body. Triphala has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of glaucoma.

* Saffron is better known as the kitchen spice that gives curry its yellow color; however, it can have wonderful results for eye problems, including cataracts. In a recent trial, every participant who took saffron had vision improvements and the researchers said the aromatic herb “may hold the key to preventing the loss of sight in the elderly”.

Saffron

* Silymarin, the primary component of milk thistle, is a major liver support compound. The liver is the key organ for the eye, since all the fat soluble vitamins and glutathione are stored there and B vitamins are activated in the liver. The eye is subjected to bright light throughout the day and important ingredients for repair are stored in the liver.

Sillymarin

* Bilberry is high in a type of bioflavonoid that speeds the regeneration of rhodopsin, the purple pigment used by the eyes’ rods. British air force pilots in World War II ate bilberry jam to improve their night vision during evening sorties.

* Ginko biloba has been used for many centuries for eye and central nervous system problems. It is a selective cerebro-vascular dilator and seems to increase circulation to the back of the eye as well as increasing blood flow to the eye. It is also becoming an increasingly popular adjunct in the treatment of macular degeneration and glaucoma.

Remedies for the Eyes

*Bentonite clay poultices have been used successfully by many people with eye problems. Bentonite clay pulls out toxins that cause any different eye issues and is especially good for infections and eye strain. It has been reported to help restore vision in the instance of cataracts

*Mix one-half to one liter of a combination of carrot, celery, and parsley, and chicory juice to help nourish the optic nerve and muscular system. Amazing results have been reported using this formula.

*Use Fenneleaten raw, made into tea or used as an eyewash to help with vision problems, including cataracts.

*Endive juice is considered to be an effective remedy for myopia. It can also be mixed with other beneficial juices such as carrot, parsley, and celery.

*Cayenne is an anti-inflammatory for the mucus membranes and it increases blood flow to the eye when taken internally.

*Use Coleus dropped directly into the eye to increase blood flow to the eye and decrease intraocular pressure.

*Jaborandiis a herb that grows in the rainforest. It’s been used for well over 100 years in patients with glaucoma and it contains pilocarpine, an alkaloid compound which causes constriction of the pupils and reduces pressure within the eye.

Remedies Especially for Cataracts

*The use of carrots is considered beneficial in the treatment of cataracts. Take plenty of raw carrots daily or else drink two glasses of fresh carrot juice, one each in the morning and evening.

*Eat two or three cloves of raw garlic daily to clean the crystalline lens of the eye. The cloves should be chewed slowly.

*Mix an equal quantity of aniseed and coriander powder together with one teaspoon of brown sugar, and take the mixture in doses of 12 grams in the morning and evening.

*Place a few drops of raw organic honey in the eyes twice or more each day. This is an ancient Egyptian remedy which is reported to have benefitted many people with cataracts.

*Finely grind seven kernels of raw almonds together with half a gram of black pepper and place in a half cup of water. Sweeten with raw honey and drink the mixture to help the eyes regain vigor and clarity.

*Twice daily, close your eyes and bathe them with hot (but not scalding) water containing Epsom salts. In addition, take an Epsom salts bath at least twice a week. Remain in the bath from twenty-five to thirty-five minutes till you perspire freely. After the bath, cool off gradually.

When it comes to eye remedies, the best results may well come from combining one or more of the suggested remedies.

Two final ingredients essential to improving vision and maintaining eye health are patience and perseverance. Most vision problems do not develop overnight and it is unlikely to correct such problems overnight. However, with patience and perseverance vision problems can often be improved and perhaps even corrected entirely. And, with good a good diet, habits and other items such as those described in this article, you may be able to maintain good eyesight for a long, long time.

Tony Isaacs, is a natural health advocate and researcher and the author of books and articles about natural health, longevity and beating cancer including “Cancer’s Natural Enemy“. Mr. Isaacs also has The Best Years in Life website for baby boomers and others wishing to avoid prescription drugs and mainstream managed illness and live longer, healthier and happier lives naturally. He is currently residing in scenic East Texas and frequently commutes to the even more scenic Texas hill country near San Antonio and Austin to give lectures in health seminars. Mr. Isaacs also hosts the CureZone “Ask Tony Isaacs – featuring Luella May” forum as well as the Yahoo Health Group “Oleander Soup“. He is working on a major book project due for publication later this year.

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